To qualify for a bursary, applicants must: 

1. be a qualified physiotherapist either employed or enrolled in a relevant postgraduate education programme (physiotherapy entry level education students are not eligible)
2. be a member in good standing of a World Physiotherapy member organisation
3. be a national and resident of a low or lower middle income country/territory with a World Physiotherapy member organisation, as defined by the World Bank; these are countries/territories that pay the reduced World Physiotherapy membership fee
4. be able to commit to returning to their home country/territory after congress
5. have not previously been awarded a World Physiotherapy congress bursary
6. have a commitment to return to their home country/territory if undertaking postgraduate studies in another country/territory
7. display efforts to secure funding from other sources (in addition to the bursary programme) to attend congress

Submission of applications 

Applicants must complete an online application form which will open in October 2026.

Assessment criteria  

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate how they will: 

• use the personal benefits for their continuing professional development
• share the benefits with the practice or organisation they work for
• use the knowledge they gain to impact their local community
• use the learning and opportunities provided to support the development of the profession locally/nationally
• make efforts to secure funding from other sources

Reports

Bursary recipients must prepare a written report on their experiences within one month of the event and submit this to World Physiotherapy. Information provided within these reports may be used by World Physiotherapy on its website, e-newsletters and other promotional media.